


3 



rO^^ 



I 

869 I 

)3 D3 

THE LAND OF EARLY PRODUCTS 



Delano 



Board 

CALIFORNIA 



A PLACE FOR THE HOME SEEKER 



.n3Xi3 



DELANO, THE LAND OF EARLY PRODUCTS 



CLIMATE 

The climate is unsurpassed during most of the year ; 
in the months of July, August and September we have 
our warmest weather, at a time when it is most bene- 
ficial for the drying of our fruits and raisins ; but even 
then the nights are usually cool and comfortable. Epi- 
demics have never occurred here, and from the fact that 
no ditches nor stagnant pools of water exist, the water 
supplied by pumping plants being all absorbed, malaria 
and fevers are jjractically unknown. 




SCHOOL HOUSE AND CHURCHES 



LOCATION 

This pamphlet contains truthful information pertaining 
to the country surrounding the town of Delano, sit- 
uated on the main line of the Southern Pacific Railroad 
and about midway between San Francisco and Los An- 
geles, being close to the county line dividing the coun- 
ties of Kern and Tulare, in the famous San Joaquin 
\^alley. State of California. 

Delano is located in probably the largest body of all 
good land in the State of California, there being between 
50,000 and 60,000 acres. This 
immense tract surrounds the 
town and extends for miles to 
the Sierra Nevada Mountains 
eastward and to the north a 
distance of ten miles; to the 
west and south the distance is 
not so great to soil of inferior 
quality. 

Social Conditions 

We have three churches : 
Baptist, Catholic, and Metho- 
dist; a $10,000 school house; 
two society halls, one owned 
by the Masonic order, and the 
other by the Odd Fellows, 
which are used by various other 
fraternal orders also, and the 
community is composed princi- 
pally of wide-awake men and 
women. 



PRICE OF LAND 



Good land may be purchased at reasonable figures, the 
prices varying principally with the distance from town ; 
first-class land three or four miles from town may be had 
at $30.00 up per acre, and nearer town at higher prices, 

SOIL AND 

The character of our soil varies, and while some is 
rich alluvii:l deposit, some a sandy loam and other parts 
are of the famous red soil, all are extremely rich and 
easily worked and all contain the necessary elements for 
the successful growing of the finest alfalfa, all kinds of 



and it is only a matter of time until it will all be worth 
many times its present selling price. This has been the 
experience of many other localities with less favorable 
conditions. 

PRODUCTS 

deciduous fruits, vineyards and vegetables and is splen- 
didly adapted to the culture of citrus fruits (oranges and 
lemons.) 

The earlier settlers took to the lower elevations in the 
trough of the valley where in many instances sub-irri- 



.:^S"- 3to 7. 



gation has proven so effective as to cause a rise of the district. In this coiiiiectioii. it should be also noted that 

water tables and thus materially injure some of the most vcijetablc growing is profitable, gives quick results, many 

profitable rooted crops grown in the valley, henee at the vegetable crops being successfully grown between trees in 

present time the greatest attraction for the seekers young orchards while the same are coming into bearing. 

of California homes is on the slope lands where the 

soil will never be subjected to such dangers of 

irrigation, but where from the abundant water 

supply from wells the soil will produce the very 

greatest and most satisfactory results, owing to 

the excellent drainage conditions such as prcv.iil 

in the Delano district. 

Alfalfa and dairying products which are so suc- 
cessfully produced on Delano soil are of vast im- 
portance to early settlers, in that quick, permanent 
and profitable results are realized from these, while 
orchards and vineyards come into bearing. One 
and one-half to two tons of alfalfa arc cut six 
and seven times yearly from our alfalfa fields and 
sells from $7.00 to $10.00 per ton in the field. 
However, a first class, large ca|)acity creanury is 
now in course of construction in Delano which will 
mean the highest prices right at home for dairy 
products and henee much higher prices for all 
the alfalfa that can or will be grown in the Dil.mo 







TEN .\CRES OF SWEET l'OT.\TOES 



IRRIGATION 



Improved pumping machinery and cheap fuel to oper- 
ate the same are the chief • factors in bringing this lo- 
cality to the front; it having been thoroughly demon- 
strated that there are immense underground strata of 
water varying from fifteen feet to greater depths, which 
can be brought to the surface at a price which makes it 
profitable to raise all the products herein enumerated. 
Many of these plants are in operation, and the results are 
most gratifying. These plants can be installed at .an 



average price of about $1. ">.()() per ;urc and can be op- 
erated at an average exi)ense of $l.o0 ))er acre ))er an- 
num, depentling upon the class of products that are to 
be raised. 

These plants are operated by gas and steam engine, 
and electricity furnished by the Mount Whitney Power 
Company which completed its lines into our locality 
about the first of .March, 1<)0!). and is now supplying 
power for all purposes, including lighting. 



THE PUMPING PLANT SYSTEM PREFERABLE 

Bv E. Curtis Clark 



Our underground water supply, from which we secure 
our irrigation water, is without question one of the most 
reliable to be found in California. The subterranean 
streams receive their waters from a source which posi- 
tivelv cannot fail to perpetually keej) them ruiniing full. 

No argument is necessary to support a statenwnt that 
the .Sierra Nevada mountain system is one of the greatest 
watersheds in the L'nited States and the fact that the 
source of all our streams lies high in these mountains is 
sufficient proof of the constancy of our water sujiply. 



We sjjcak of our underground streams, but as a matter 
of fact, the Delano Thermal Belt is blest in that the un- 
derground water lies apparently in vast sheets or strata 
which, one below the other at various depths, uiulerlie 
the whole territory, thus differing materially from many 
districts where water is found only in striams. The ad- 
vantage of this vast subterranean reservoir or lake, with 
an inexliaustible permanent source to replenish its sup- 
|)lv of water, lies in the f.aet that a water producing well 
may be had wherever a hole of sufl'icient depth is Imrr-d. 



It is true that some wells in this locality furnish more 
water than others; this is due to various causes, such as 
depth of well; capacity of lifting power; and in some 
instances lack of proper development ; but it is a demon- 
strated fact that there has never been a dry well bored in 
this favored district. 

We have splendid flowing wells in every direction from 
our town and the majority of them furnish from forty to 
one hundred inches of water, and do not diminish with 
constant pumping, but on the contrary usually increase. 

Such a bountiful water supply, with its permanency 
guaranteed by the majestic mountain range at its source, 
makes the pumping plant system of irrigation the ideal 
one, and it is rapidly becoming the most popular, even 
in localities where canal water may be had. Many peo- 
ple have disposed of their ditch stock and installed pump- 
ing plants. 

There are many advantages assigned to the pumping 
system; chief among which are the following: 

First: It is not necessary to expend time and money 
in an endeavor to keep down weeds and foul vegetation 
that come to your land from some negligent neighbor, 
which is invariably the case under the canal ; for where 
there are dozens of people using water from tiie same 
ditch, there are certain to be some careless ones, and 
every one under the system is sure to get a share of the 
seed, roots, etc.. which means continuous expense from 




PfMPIXG PLANT AT DELANO 



year to year, for many grasses and weeds when once 
sown are practically impossible to kill out. 

Second: One is not obliged to apply water whether 
ready or not. With the canal each has his turn and must 
take the water when his turn comes or else lose it until 
next turn. Can you imagine any system more unsatis- 
factory than one where you must act, day or night, or, 
possibly both, or lose your crops, for the loss of water 
would mean no less than loss of crops ? 

Third: With the pumping plant one is absolutely in- 
dependent, and can suit his own convenience about irri- 
gating; it is not necessary to stop other work which may 
need attention, in order to use his turn. With tlie canal 
j'ou are loser if you are obliged to suspend other neces- 
sary work in order to use your water and if you do not 
suspend other work to use your water, you will lose your 
crop, so it is a loss either way. With the pumping plant 
one irrigates when he feels so disposed, and when other 
work is not pressing. 

P'ourth: The pumping plant man is not obliged to 
stand his share of costly litigation, such as the majority 
of irrigation districts are subject to, through their fights 
for maintenance of water rights. Such litigation in most 
of tlie districts of California, and likely elsewhere as 
well, lias cost almost, if not quite, enough to place a good 
pumping plant on each man's land in the district. 

Fifth: The country which depends upon the pumping 
plant is free from any danger of overflow. This can- 
not be said of the canal district, which has been conclus- 
ively proven in many sections of California and other 
states. Many, many times after spending years in im- 
proving their lands and bringing them to the highest 
state of cultivation have the farmers seen the flood devas- 
tate their homes and leave them to begin anew. Isn't it 
worth considerable more to feel secure.'' 

Sixtli: Under the pump system, your neighbors are 
your friends. There is no occasion for quarrelling over 
water, the one problem of all that stands in the lead as 
probably the greatest breeder of trouble known to this 
beautiful Golden State. We pride ourselves as being a 
peace-loving nation, then let us also seek peace as indi- 
viduals. I.ct us insist on peace in our domestic life and 
accept no conditions that will not permit of such. 

Seventh: The pumping plant will enable one to pro- 
duce a greater variety of crops, for there are many things 
that cannot be' grown except where water may be ap- 
plied frequently or when the blossoms or the plants are 
in proper condition. This privilege of watering at the 
]jroper time will also be found to add very materially to 
the profits from crops, for the yield will be increased by 
applying water at the proper time. 



Eiftlitli: The piin)])iii<; syst»-iii is the sure system, for 
thiTe is always a supply of water to draw I'roui ; the far- 
mer knows just what he may depend upon, he knows just 




AN IHHK.ATION SCKNE 

liow mueh land to prepare; he is eertain that when his 
crops require water he will have it for them, I'or it is 
certain that should the underground supply fail the over- 
ground streams cannot continue and the wliole state will 
become a desert. The overground stream is only the sur- 
plus water, after the underground stream has been sup- 
plied. This is proven by the fact that there is alw;iys 
underground stre.-ims and the pumping plants run the 
year round, while the majority of overground streams of 
the State dry uj) during the late summer and fall months, 
and the canals of the majority of the irrigation districts 
of the state arc without water during these months, and 
conscc|uently the farmer is unable to water his 
crops at this se.-ison. 

Ninth: The pumping plant which is de])cnd- 
ent upon underground supply which flows the 
entire year enables the farmer to raise more 
crops during the year. For instance, with al- 
falfa, which retpiires w.-iter after each cutting, 
there would be an additional cutting or two in 
the fall which could not be had under the canal. 
This advantage would be notieeable, too, to the 
farmer who wishes to grow a crop of corn or 
potatoes, etc., after harvesting whi;it or b.irley. 

Tenth: L'nder the pumping pl:tnt l.-ind in- 
creases faster in value and the values go higher 
than under the canal system. The above nine 
reasons explain just why this is so, and the ex- 
perience of .Southern California and the dis- 
tricts of the .San .loaipiin \'.illev are living ex- 
amples that prove this assertion to be a fact. 



Eleventh: The pum})ing plant is positivi-ly the 
most economical system for irrigation. Keononiy nmst 
not be figured wholly from Krst cost. If th;it were 
the process by which we should calculate. tJK'n th<- nan 
who pays !i<-i.;)0 for a suit of shoddy clothes which will 
last him two weeks is more economical than one who 
pays •t.'JO.dO for a suit which will wear six or eight 
u:onths. It is the result tluit d<-terniines the (|uestion 
of whether one proposition is more economical than 
another, and this being true, it will be found by making 
.■I fair conii)arison between the pumping plant Jind the 
i-rigation canal, along the lines suggested herein, that 
the pun:))ing |)Iant is the cheaper and will bring greater 
profits. 

Twelfth: \\ ith the pum))ing [ilant one is prepared to 
water land ])ropcrly, which cannot be done where one 
must do it hurriedly, and thus the life of the soil is 
l)reservcd. 'I'herc are 'iiany sections in irrigation dis- 
tricts whore crops of eertain kinds once flourished, but 
now they are unsuited for such crops, owing to improper 
irrigation, which has resulted in water-soaking until 
fruits grown ujjon such lands are of inferior quality. 
It is very essential with almost every kind of vegetation, 
but particularly so with fruits, to have absolute control 
of the water while irrigating, also between irrigations, 
in order that your land does not become filh-d and drown 
out plants, trees, etc., if it does not actually kill them, 
and cause the products to be watery and unmarkel.ible. 

-Mr. Header, whoever you may be, think over these 
points. Vou may glean scmiething from them that will 
at least aid you in your quandary. If so, the purpose 
intended will have been accomplished. 




SIIOWINa OROWTII DETWEEN TREES 



WHY DELANO IS THE LAND OF THE EARLIEST PRODUCTS 
AND THE ADVANTAGES IN SO BEING 



It might suffice to say that Delano IS the land of 
earliest products and leave the proof of this assertion 
to those who care to investigate, for as the old adage 
says "The proof of the pudding is in the eating, " wiiich 
simply means tliat no amount of explanation as to why 
the pudding SHOULD be good, would make it so, the 
eating being the only proof; so with this land of earliest 
products, no explanation as 
ti) \\'HY it is the earliest 
will change it in the least; it 
either is early or it is not and 
tlie answer to the question 
lies in tliorough investigation 
a?id this is just what we 
court. However, as we are 
earliest with our products 
there must be a reason and 
though no one is justified in 
asserting that he knows the 
j)Ositive reason, yet there are 
at least reasonable theories 
that are worthy of consider- 
ation by the man who must 
know just why everything is 
just so. 

There is little doubt but 
tliat there are at least two 
reasons that contribute ma- 
terially towards Delano's 
favorable climatic tempera- 
ture, which of course is the 
solution to the early products 
question. 

First: Its location, eleva- 
tion and general topography are such that favorable air 
currents keep the temperature moderate and yet these 
currents seldom ever develop into undesirable winds. 

Second: The character of the soil is such that it re- 
tains the accumulated warmth of the summer months and 
gradually radiates it during the winter months, thus 
equalizing the temperature. 

Delano is jealously watched b_y other localities and in 
many instances grossly misrepresented by residents and 
agents from other districts and chiefly because of lier 
early products, but little wonder is it, wlien the advan- 
tages of early marketing are considered. The practical 
farmer is certain to be allured to the land of earliest pro- 
ducts. 



Oranges ripen early in November and are practically 
all shipped before December 15th. 

Some varieties of grapes can be shipped in first week 
of Jul}'. 

Raisin grapes can be gathered by July ';iOth. 

Watermelons ripen in June. 

Pumpkins ripen by June 15th. 




THE HARVESTING OF WHEAT AND BARLEY 

Sweet potatoes are dug in first week of August. 

Alfalfa is cut six and seven times each season. 

Wild grasses are earliest and buyers get first fat stock 
here. 

Wild flowers blossom here weeks before elsewhere. 

Grain harvest in the San Joaquin Valley begins at 
Delano. 



"The early bird catches the worm." 
The early products catch the higli prices. 
Delano has the early products, and so gets the high 
prices. 

You'll like Delano. 



THE ADVANTAGES OF EARLY PRODUCTION ARE 



Mrst: No competition, therefore unlimited deniami. 

Second: Quick Sales; no loss from decay and l>uyers 
n<it so jtarticular almut (jnality. 

Third: By entering the market larly the season lor 
selling is lengtheneil which will prove Aaliiahle with crops 
that yield for several months. 

Fourth: The early sections will have no shortage of 
lahor for tlie work< rs go where they can get work first. 



I'ifth: Land increases faster in value, and goes to 
higher price, for the demand for early producing land 
is greater, because of the greater profits received. 

'I'hesc are wonderful advantages that must api)eal to 
the thoughtful, practical farmer. They are the very ad- 
vantages tliat mean success and not failure; they mean 
riches for the hushandman and jirosperitv for the com- 
munitv. 



RELATIVE TO THE ORANGE INDUSTRY 



Owing to .soil and climatic conditions at and ne.ir Oe- 
lano we sec no reason whv Delano should not be one of 
tile leading citrus sections, for we have the most perfect 
soil for irrigation and cultivation and our warm even 
tcmiJcraturc is just what is needed to produce the best of 
oranges, they rijjcn as early if not earlier here th;in any 
other part of the state, and tlie flavor is e(|U;il to the 
best to be found anywhere. 

There has been little attention paid to the orange in- 
dustry at Delano until tlie last year when some of the 
most experienced orange growers of Southern California 
btgan to invade our section; they have the practical ex- 
perience and knowledge of the orange and lemon indus- 



try for many of them have been orange growers in Flor- 
ida, and left that field to come to our Golden State where 
the industry fs only in its infancy, for the world's peo- 
ple are asking for the wholesome California orange. 

There are many places where oranges can be grown, 
but the question is: Where tan they be grown the most 
successfully.' That is what our most successful growers 
are looking for. First of all the |)ro))er soil that will 
sub-irrigate and not bake after irrigation and that can be 
cultivated at any season oT the j'car, these are very im- 
portant features in the growing of oranges to produce 
the best quality of fruit; then comes the water supply and 
tlie lay of land foi- irrigation: auotlur thing is the ab- 




OH\N(;k NTHSKnV AT DKI-ANO 



sence of scale and smut on the trees, which is very im- 
portant in maintaining good, clean, healthy stock, and 
makes the cost of production very nominal with the ad- 




KOUR-YEAR OLD ORANGE TREES AT DELANO 



vantage of producing a fine quality of fruit, this also 
decreases the expense of maintenance as well as the ex- 
pense of handling, as it eliminates the expense of wash- 
ing and drying the fruit and lessens the 
handling which is very important to the 
keeping quality of the fruit; the point 
of location for shipping is an important 
factor to the business. 

All of these important features have 
been looked into very carefully by the 
Southern California growers from a com- 
mercial standpoint, after a most careful 
investigation they have found that Delano 
has every advantage that could be ex- 
pected, for the soil is what they wanted, 
being loose and easily irrigated and cul- 
tivated, the slope of the land being most 
perfect for irrigation, as it is very gentle, 
only enough for water to run freely and 
not enough to cause it to wash. Delano 
being on the main line of the Southern Pa- 
cific Railroad, about half way between the 
two great cities, Los Angeles and San 
Francisco, gives it every advantage of lo- 
cal markets as well as Eastern shipments. 



LETTERS FROM TILLERS OF THE SOIL 



Delano Board of Trade: 

Your favor of the 8th instant at hand. 
Would state that writing for publication is 
not my strong fort, but under the circum- 
stances will do the best I can. First I 
will call the attention of the public to the 
fact of how little has been done, and yet 
how great are the results. To any practical 
fruit grower who looks over the ground at 
Delano and vicinity, he cannot help but no 
tice what a healthy appearance the fruit 
trees have, also the vines. We will take 
the orange, apricot and almond trees for an 
example. Notice the gloss of the bark 
which denotes the health and strength ol 
the tree. Instead of cover crop and thr 
fertilization and intense fertilization that i^ 
practised in our orchards of the south, you 



N^^j^^.-v^l 



n 



'•"S^., 



FOUR-MONTHS OLD ORANGE GROVE 



will Hiid the orchards at Delano almost hit to thexselves, 
liiit vet nature works with tluin and tlie amount of fruit 
produeed is something that is really astonishing. At Mr. 
Newell's orehard, I believe I found the best jteaehts that 
I have ever looked at, altK.^ugh I was raised in a .Mieh- 
igan peach orehard — Levels and Alberta peaches which 
rank the world over as the best free stone canner. It 
is not alone tlie peaeli, a])rieot and almond, hut all 
deciduous fruits, even tin- 
apple tree, bending heavily 
with its laden bi<>nehes, are 
found thriving here. As for 
citrus fruits, I sec no reason 
why the orange and the h'ni- 
on should not play an im- 
))ortant factor in Delano and 
its vicinity, for the orch.irds 
here now are thrifty, tiie 
trees being free from sc;i!e 
or sunit, the fruit clean and 
of excellent flavor and qual- 
ity and tlie .season for ripen- 
ing from four to six wei'ks 
earlier than in Southern Cal- 
ifornia. But fruit growing 
is not the only important 
factor in the development of 
the country. To my idea the 
dairy business will rank first 
among the industries, to the 
settler who is starting his 
home, tlic alfalfa patch and 
the hog will all have their 
place and I predict tin 
growing of turkeys for mar 
ket will be a business prof- 
itable to the grower. 
Vour truly, 
W. W. Perkins. 




EI.F.VF:X-Vr..\H OI.I) OUASCK TREES 



Tulare, California, S( pt. I. 1 !)()<). 
.Some '20 rears ago it was my good fortune to be 
offered the management of the well known I'aigr Fruit 
Farm at Tulare. California, which consisti-d of !,.")<)() 
acres of all kinds of fruit, and on which there is now 
grown ".OO acres of the ".Nfuscatelk" variety of grapes. 
This is the grape from which our famous California rais- 
ins are made, and we don't put any sugar in them as 
many I'.astrrners think. Thry Just grow that way. .And 
the writer is still here, "Peggin' away " on the same 
place growing grapes and making raisins. H'- nmst 



like it, or he would not keep up the lick for 20 years. 
Eighteen years ago it was my pleasure to view the 
Delano country from a car window: I liked it, and 
said to a traveling eomjjanion, "Here is a fine grape 
country, second to none, if they only had "water." .Ne- 
cessity always proves the mother of invention and it 
was di.scovered that, by pumping, water in sufficient 
(|uantitics could be had for irrigation, and now the prob- 
lem is solved, Delano has 
thousands of acres of the 
richest land in the world on 
which grapes and all other 
j)roducts (jf the soil can be 
grown successfully. 

Soon after the discovery 
of water the writer was not 
long in getting there, and 
buying some of that good 
land, 3'20 acres, and none of 
it is for sale, it will all be 
planted to grapes and or- 
anges. iO acres of this good 
land will sustain most any 
reasonable farmer's family 
if planted to gra]K's. I have 
been requested, on account 
of my ])raetieal knowl- 
edge of grajjc growing, by 
the Delano Board of Trade 
to give them the figures on 
grajjC growing, and here 
1 take pleasure in doing so. 
These figures arc based on 
40 acres and cover all the 
cost to hire the work done. 
.Should a farmer do the work 
himself, as is most times the 
case, he will sini])ly have 
that much more |)rofit in his 
pocket. To say nothing of 
a jjlcasant and lucrative bus- 
iness in the 'Golden State of California," more fittingly 
described in the beautiful words of ,Ioaquin Miller, the 
poet of the .Sierras: 

".'^hake hands I Kiss hands in the haste to the sea 
Where the sun comes in and mount with me 
The niatchlcss stud of the strong new world 

.\s he champs and chafes with a strength untold 
Away to the West, where the waves are curl'd 

As they kiss white palms to the capes of gold." 



COST AND CARE OF iO ACRES VINEYARD FOR 5 YEARS IXCLUDIXG COST OF LAND 




INCOME 

3d yr., 2 tons per acre. . 80 tons grapes 
4th yr., -1 tons per acre. 160 tons grapes 
5th yr., 6 tons per acre.2i0 tons grapes 



RE.M AKK.VIJI.E .SEVEN-MONTHS OLD VINE\AH 

40 acres land with water at $125.00 per acre. . . ..$5,000 

First Yeah: 

Plowing land 12 inches deep $120.00 

Irrigating ditches 50.00 

Fencing 100.00 

Digging holes for vines 200.00 

Planting vines 100.00 

Rooted vines for planting 300.00 

Irrigation by pumping 200.00 

Cultivation three times 100.00 $1,170 

Second Year: 

Pruning vines $ 30.00 

Hoeing vines 30.00 

Plowing vines 50.00 

Cultivating three times 100.00 

Irrigation by pumping 100.00 $ 310 

Third Year; 

Pruning vines $ 40.00 

Hoeing vines 35.00 

Plowing vines 50.00 

Cultivation three times 100.00 

Irrigation by pumping 100.00 

Clearing and burning prunings .... 40.01) •$ ?>('):' 

Fourth Year: 

Total cost $10 per acre per annum .$400.it0 $ 400 

Fifth Year: 

Total cost $10 per acre per annum. $400.00 $ 400 

Total cost for 5 vears .$7,645 



Total 480 tons grapes 

480 tons fresh grapes will make 120 
tons raisins worth .$60 per ton or 
$7,200. Very near enough in five years 
to pay for entire property and care and 
then have 40 acres fine vineyard worth 
at least $300 per acre or $12,000. The 
above figures are based on the muscatel 
variety, which is the "Raisin Grape," 
and alwaj-s as standard as "Wheat at 
the Mill." Tokays and Red Emperors 
for table purpose are often sold in the 
East to net from .$75 to $200 per acre. 
The "Raisin Grape" is the standard. 
The above figures are based on an av- 
erage price of ten years past. Only twice during my 20 
years of grape growing have I known them to be lower. 
As a matter of fact they range in price nine years out of 
ten from $()0.00 to $100 per ton, $75 to $80 being almost 
annually obtained. 

This statement is based on facts from a practical 
knowledge of cost and returns and is very conservative. 

P. J. S. Montgomery. 



I have been asked by the Board of Trade to write a 
few lines on the alfalfa question and will say the follow- 
ing : A man can seed his alfalfa in the fall or winter and 
cut four or five good crops from it the first year, yielding 
about one and one-fourth tons per cutting on an aver- 
age and after tlie first year it will yield one and one-half 
to two tons per cutting for six or seven crops. In the 
country surrounding Delano it onh- requires from five to 
six pounds of seed per acre and it never has to be re- 
seeded as long as it is taken care of. It requires about 
three irrigations to every two crops to get best results. A 
man can put in a Xo. 2 1-2 or No. 3 centrifugal pump on 
forty acres of land with a reservoir and cement pipe or 
hose and take care of it very easily. I have about thirty 
acres in alfalfa and have been selling hay for the last 
five years. At first I sold it for $5 per ton in the field 
and now I am selling at $7.50 per ton and can't supph' 
one-Iialf the call I have for it. This year I will take in 
about .$2,000 for tlie season besides what hay I use as I 
have about twcntv liead of stock. Frank Schlitz. 



DAIRYING IN TULARE AND KERN COUNTIES 



By C. L. MONTGOMKHY 



This well known and long lived industry originated in 
the westiTU slopes of. the Sierra Nevada mountains in 
the early days among tlie gold seekers who preferred that 
life to tlial of the piek and shovel; they found the golden, 
hand-ehurned butter alir.ost as profitable as the preeious 
ore taken from the mines and water courses. Gradually 
as the mines deereased the butter and milk sold to the 
fastlv growing mills, and later as the small towns in the 
valley started the dairies were found moving there. 

The progress at first was very slow owing to the mixed 
herds whieh in that time were selected from the large 
lierds of stock cattle on the cattle ranges and the feed 
consisted of wire and bunch grass in the winter and some 
Alfilarea in the early spring. 

Butter fat was first narketed in the form of ranch but- 
ter put u)) in all kinds of packages, some wrapped in 
squares with cheese cloth wiap|)ers, but n:uch of it was 
packed in tubs. This butter for a time held back thr 
butter business on account of ini])ro))er n:aking .uui tlic 



age of some when ii:arketed; however this condition did 
not last long, small creameries were started, the cream 
was better cared for, the increase in population made a 
greater deu:and for a better produit. 

.\t this time thoroughl)red >toek were imijorted from 
the Kast, and the tamers found that one of such cows 
would produce as much butter-fat as two of the former 
herd. This made it possible for them to own large 
ranches and increased dairies. 

For a tin^.e nuich allalfa was iteing shipi)ed to the 
larger cities but tile dairymen scon found that this 
hav would yield them more n:oney when fed to cows, and 
now hardly a i)ound is shipped; this was tiie cause of 
nany more cows being milked, the creameries increased 
in number and capacity, the increase in the butter traffic 
caused a lowering in ex))ress rates to Los Angeles, com- 
petition grew nore keen, hence higher i>rices prevailed. 

The dairymen in the southern p.irt of tlie .'■"tate tell us 
tiiat they can not own lands there at tl:e high prices 
wliii h prevail and so the result is that we I'.ave hundreds 




TiioRorriiiiinKos tii.xt i-nonrcK tiik niTTKii kat 



of them in our midst, who buy lands here for much less 
money and far superior in quality. 

In the last three years the dairy industry has more 













imfKui^uM 


ffBfgjmgggigijgg^ 








^_|. 


^HMVp" 








^H 


Hb:' >'''^- 








^^v^ 


r^" - 




v^ 




^^KS-r. ' 


\- . :<^' 








IHHK'-^'.v 


"'' " ■ ---i*, ■ ■. " " 










■-■-■-. " v"''>" *&* '■" 


















^^' 


,:^k^pp' 








W^ 


Hf'" 









A I-IELD or EARLY TO.MAIOES 

tlian doubled, the reason being on account of the monthly 
income, the sm.all amount of capital required to start in 
business and the liigli rate of interest received from the 
business. 

The smallest farmer can have a few acres in alfalfa 
and own a few good cows which will pay liis expenses 
until the trees and vines come into bearing. Through- 
out Delano county tliere are many dairies, usually small, 
but sufficient in number, that the local people have re- 
cently incorporated a creamery with a capital of fifteen 
thousand dollars to handle the product. This' is a splen- 
did locality for the dairyman ; land is reasonable in 
price, it is an ideal alfalfa growing section and there is 
no better food for the dairy cow than alfalfa. Wild 
grasses also grow here in profusion, alfilarea and clover 
being chief among them for richness and strength. Many 
cattle raisers and dairymen depend entirely upon this 
wild pasture, and it is due to the abundance of this wild 
feed that this country has. ever since early in its his- 
tory, attracted the stockman. 

Water may be had in abundance. Railroad facilities 
are first class. The climate is such that cows require 
very little attention, no expensive housing and feeding 
in winter; in fact no housing whatever is required, and 
no prepared or warm food necessary; and there are 



no insects to torment them and seldom are they at- 
tacked b^' disease. 

There is no class of farming considered more stable 
than dairying; this fact is forcibly recognized by 
the banking interests all over the Valley and is 
shown bv the numerous loans made by them to 
start deserving men in business. 

A good cow will yield from ten to twelve dol- 
lars per month, when well cared for, and the ex- 
jjense of caring for her will not exceed $2.00' 
per month which leaves a handsome margin for 
profit. 

Tile strongest argument in favor of the dairy 
industry is the thriftiness of our dairymen. The 
most forcible feature of this industry is shown 
bv the financial condition of dairymen and also 
the community in which they live. Many of these 
men tried to make money in other classes of farm- 
ing and did not thrive, but now on inquiring we 
find that they have large bank accounts, and that 
nany of the cities in localities where this industry 
is well started as much as fifty thousand dollars 
is put in circulation monthly, which condition is 
bound to make things thrive. 

DAIRYING 

AMiat tan a man do with .$2,000 in California r 
Buy 20 acres of land at .$100 per acre. 

Pay one-fourth down $500 

Build a cottage .500 

Buy 10 good cows 500 

Seed land to alfalfa; buy team, pigs and 

poultry- .">00 $2,000 



Board of Trade, 

Delano, Calif ornin. 

Gentlemen : I am located on eighty acres one mile 
north of McFarland. Purchased my place October 6; 
1909, during a visit to California, having come here from 
Kansas witii no intention whatever of investing, but 
after looking the country over, I liked it so well, and 
the opportunities seemed so great, that I decided to re- 
main here. To do this I was obliged to forfeit the re- 
turn portion of two tickets to Kansas, but this I did. 
and have never returned, which act, in itself, will ex- 
plain how thoroughly convinced T am that this is the 
country for the homeseeker to locate in. 

I have a pumjiing plant which furnishes 100 inches 
of water. Buildings and plant were here when I 
bought, but the land was all in the rough except fifteen 



Acres which had been plowed once. I now liavo twt-iity- 
five acrt'S li-voled and fifteen acres of that well seeded 
to alfalfa; seeded same in February, 1909, have cut it 
three times already and it is ready to cut again, and 
there will be still furtiier growth this year, making a 
splendid yield for the first season. Mad three acres of 
Egyptian corn wliieh yielded fifteen sacks to the acre. 
I also raised forty-five acres of grain this year which 
I cut for hay and which yielded well. 

I have seven acres now about ready to seed to alfalfa 
and have oidy hired eight days' work done on the place 
to date. Myself and three small sized horses have done 
•all the farm work. 

Yours truly, 

.1. .M. Clark. 



A few days ago I received a letter from a friend of 
niine after he had heard that I was up in the Delano 
country, and he wanted to know how I liked the country. 
etc. P'eeling that possibly his letter and mine in an- 
swer to the same might be of interest to some of those 
who are seeking homes in this Valley, I herewith hand 
you them for ])ul)li(ation in your Board of Trade pam- 
phlet, should you desire to use same. 

Or.vnge, C.\LiFonNi.\, August (), 1909. 
Mr. John Ebehlin, 

Delano, California. 

Df.ar John: I heard a few days ago that you were 
located near Delano and I want to know how you like 
that part of the country and whether it is any good or 
not. I wish you would drop me a few lines, answering 
the following questions, and I want 
you to write me tlic truth about it and 
nothing but the trutli. Is the land 
good? How dee]) to water? Is it a 
good climate? Do you have any fogs 
there? Does it get awfully hot in the 
summer? What can you rai.se? How 
is it about raising oranges? Is the 
land suitable for and rich enough for 
the successful growing of oranges? 
Will alfalfa do well there? 

/Vnswcr every question, my good 
friend. Sincerely yours, D. .K. 

Delano, C m.ifornia, Aug. 9,1909. 
Mr. D. K., 

Ornnpe, California. 

Dear Sir: I am in receipt of your 
letter of the 6th and will answer your 
questions to the best of my ability. 



Delano is a good country and has got good, rich, 
level land, but if you go too far out you will find some 
poor land too. Water can be gotten at from 30 to 75 
feet, according to the location from Delano. The cli- 
mate is good with no fog excepting in the winter for 
perhaps a week altogellur. .About the heat in the sum- 
mer, I can say that I have not found it any too hot and 
I have been working on the hottest day and I have not 
found it any hotter and it did not affect me any more 
than it did down your w.iy. 

We can raise anything here, from a |)otato to an 
orange; alfalfa docs first class here. The way things 
look to me now, in a few years we will have a big or- 
ange country here and thickly planted out. because every 
tree I have .seen planted out has done well, grown raj)- 
idly, and shown that this section of the San Joaquin 
N'alley is well adajjted to the growing of the Citrus 
fruits. 

Alfalfa can be cut seven times per year if you give 
it sufficient au;ount of water and we cut on an average 
of two tons per acre per cutting and the same sells for 
from ^1 to $8 per ton loose in the field. As far as I 
can determine this is a fine, rich section of the San 
.loacjuin Valley. 

I have 80 acres less than i miles southeast of Delano. 
and it is a good piece of land too. Have a 30 h. ]). gas 
engine running a No. ;"> centrifugal pump. My well is 
1 1? feet deej) and water comes to witiiin Ki feet of the 
surface. I am going to |)ut in several acres of alf.-in.i 
and Ij sacks of apricot and jxaeh pits. 




A WAREHOUSE AT DELANO 



I prefer the orange and alfalfa industry although you number of friends who will do the same and follow me 

can raise almost anything here that grows from the up here to Delano and make this their home as I have 

ground. done. Delano is my home. 

I landed in Delano about a year ago and I have a Sincerely, John E Berlin. 




A COUNTRY HOME AT DELANO 



INDUCEMENTS 



There is no better localitj- in the State of California 
than can be found near Delano, for the man with small 
means as well as the one with great wealth, for we 
produce everything from the common farm products 
such as wheat, barley, potatoes, melons, etc., grapes, 
all kinds of deciduous fruits, etc., to the orange, lemon 
and grape-fruit. 



What does it mean to have the eyes of the world upon 
this State, as is the case today.'' It means that each 
year will bring greater numbers of homeseekers. It 
means that in the near future every foot of fertile land 
in this State will be in demand at high prices. It 
means that the population is going to increase until 
our limited amount of territory must be subdivided into 



small tracts in order to accoiniiKKJatc all. It incnns 
that couiiiuTc-ial interests are going to expand, ll means 
that every branch of industry is going to reach its highest 
stage of development in this State. Reali/.ing, as every 
one must, that the world is looking this way, you should 
take precedent as a guide for picturing the future Golden 
State. The whole SUite is valuable; everv foot of fer- 



tile land in this State is a safe investimnl, but we be- 
lieve the Delano 'I'liemial belt oH'ers unt(|U.ilrd oppor- 
tunities for large and (juiek returns. 

llonieseekers are invited tt> investigate the foregoing 
facts before locating elsewhere, and the Delano lioard 
of Trade will at all times be ready to take intending 
settlers through the country and show theui just what 
our eounlrv is. 




I-IHST NATIONAL HANK iUIMIINo AT UEI.ANO 

HISTORY AND PROGRESS 



In the distant past this section was devoted almost ex- 
clusively to grazing of sheep and cattle. Later a few 
farmers began to make their appearance and introduced 
the wheat-growing industry ; the stock-raiser prospered 
and became well-to-do; some of the grain-growers be- 
came independent, others failed. As time rolled on new 
ideas crept in from other communities, and some of 
the old inhabitants conceived plans for irrigating their 
lands; wells were bored and pumping plants installed; 
fruits and alfalfa were planted and thus the transfor- 



ination began. Today many new-comers are actively 
engaged in improving their homes, the region is fast 
changing from a vast ])aslure to a land of sunny jjros- 
perons homes. 

Within the past year or two many changes have been 
wriuight, an unprecedented step forward has been taken; 
thousands of acres lia\'e changed hands, and almost every 
day brings new homeseekers ; many have .'dready ac- 
complished much, others are just starting, and still others 
will begin improving soon. 



Our town of Delano is keeping pace with this ad- 
vancement, and within the past eighteen months marked 
improvement has been noticeable. Cliief among these 
improvements the following may be mentioned: A na- 
tional bank; the advent of the Mt. Whitney power line 
furnishes power for pumping purposes and other com- 
mercial uses as well as lights; cold storage plant, a gar- 
age ; a newspaper ; an orange nursery ; two new hotels ; 
a general merchandise store, making four in all; a forg- 
ing shop ; a tin and plumbing shop ; two new store build- 



ings; new livery barn; a creamery and a new bank build- 
ing. This banking institution at the end of its first year 
of business shows deposits amounting to over $170,000. 
a record equalled by only one other new bank in the 
State of California. Tlie spirit of progress is with us. 
the old-timer as well as the new-comer is awakening. 
and our advance henceforth is certain to be even more 
rapid than during the past year and a half. A new 
Masonic Temple is in course of construction and many 
new dwellings are to be built. 



DELANO THE PLACE FOR THE ORANGE 



There are many acres of poor land in this great State, 
and there are thousands of acres of the most fertile land 
which is rendered useless and unprofitable simply be- 
cause of- the lack of water. There are thousands of acres 
of number one land that possesses ever3'thing neces- 
sary for the culti\ation of any kind of products, but 
this is mostly under cultivation and can be had only at 
advanced prices. However, there is a limited amount of 
first class land with every advantage in its favor, located 
in the Delano district, which may be had at reasonable 
figures, and in almost any quantity desired. 

This district lias these advantages over most of the fa- 
mous orange producing districts. The land contains a 
greater amount of iron, which is known to be a great ad- 
vantage, for the fruit produced upon land containing the 
proper amount of iron is of richer color — the deep golden 
color that appeals to the eye — and by possessing such 
color the fruit sells to the well-to-do class, where other 
fruit of light color, while it might have good flavor, 
would not be accepted. The class of people who buy, 
not only for the flavor, but also for appearance, is the 
wealthier class, and they are willing to pay a good price 
in order that they may have that which appeals to their 
fanc}^ To substantiate this statement the fruit dealers 
of the eastern markets affirm that twenty-five per cent 
of their customers alwaj's demand the best quality re- 
gardless of price. Now, while the oranges grown in this 
particular localit}- possess this attractive and desirous 
color, they are also of the most delicious flavor and 
cannot be surpassed for thinness of peel. 

We produce a clear}, bright, beautiful, rich colored, 
and rich flavored fruit, such as is seldom found else- 
where. 

Again, the fruit of this section is unblemished; there 
are no black spots, there is no stain. Scale is unknown 
here, and there is no necessity for fumigation. Our 
fruit has not the mildewed appearance so common in 



districts where scale abounds and fumigation is nec- 
essary. 

The advantage this locality possesses over other sec- 
tions may be enumerated as follows: 

First — We surpass in quality of land, particularly 
from the standpoint of necessity for iron in the soil. 

Second — In the richness of the color of the fruit, con- 
sequent from the greater percentage of iron in the soil. 

Third — In producing a better flavor and thinner peel. 

Fourth — In being able to place our fruit upon the 
market from four to six weeks earlier, thereby securing 
the best prices, and also avoiding the possibility of 
damage by frost. 

Fifth — In having no scale to contend with. 

Sixth — In having no cause for fumigating and thus 
saving expense. 

Seventh — In producing a clean, smooth, iniblemished 
fruit, such as cannot be had where scale is ])revalent 
and fumigation necessary. 

Eighth — In having a more abundant supply of and 
a cheaper means of securing water for irrigation pur- 
poses. 

Ninth — In never being damaged by frost. 

Tenth — In having the best land at prices less than 
one-fifth the price of inferior land in the Southern Cal- 
ifornia belt. 

Eleventh- — In that those who invest here reap far 
greater returns than those who invest in the southern 
belt. 

Twelfth — In that our territory is just now coming 
to tlie front, and therefore those who invest iiere now 
are to reap the reward that those who settled in South- 
ern California years ago have reaped. 

This is an industry that every prospective purchaser of 
California property should investigate. It is a pleasant 



business. to engage in. It is one of, it not THE, lll<)^t 
profitable industries tbat may be pursued, it is safe to 
invest in, provided one selects a suitable locality for 
the culture of this fruit, and it is a clean, healthful 
occupation that cannot be followed just any place. 

The amount of territory suitable for the culture of this 
fruit is very limited. There are many reasons for this; 
first, cold umst be guarded against, as the trees are very 
sensitive; second, for the same reason, excessive iuat 
must be avoided; third, ciuality of land must be uitable. 
and fourth, water in abundance must be had. Many 
places possess some of these requirements, but unless all 
are possessed the success is not complete. Some few 
places arc adajited in most every particular, but the cli- 
matic changes during the year are not exactly what the 
tree requires in order that it may ripen its fruit at the 
most desirable season. 

Some of these places, however, have gained consider- 
able note for their production of this class of fruit. 
but their success has never been complete, and now that 
a more favored section has been discovered for tliis ])ur- 
pose, there is a probability that the lack of n.itur.il ad- 



vantages in these localities will be felt more ke*-nly than 
heretofore. 

Even in California we have a climate that is diversified 
enough to divide the state»into three distinct citrus belts: 
a northern, a southern, and a central. 

Between the northern and the southern belts, lies the 
great San Joaquin Valley, and toward the southern end 
of this fertile vallev is situated the Delano Tiiermal 
Belt. In tliis particular district the fruit is niarketai)li- 
at from one month to six weeks earliir than in eitlur 
the northern or southern belts. 

You should begin to realize the fact that the eyes of 
the world are looking this way. You should take pre- 
cedents as a guide for j)redicting the future "Ciolden 
State." You should attempt to draw an estimate as to 
wiiat the demand for ))roi)erty in this state will be in the 
course of a very few years. You should bear in mind that 
even though every foot of land in this state were pro- 
dueti\e and possessed of everything necessary to bring 
forth the best results and heaviest yields, even then our 
limited territory could not long supply the demand for 
our acreage will always remain the same while tiie de- 
mand continually increases. 




SIXTH CROP OF ALFALFA AT nF.LAJ,0 



CONCLUSION 

Orange growers from Southern California, raisin 
growers from Fresno and general farmers from every- 
where are investing in and improving our lands, and 
just what the result of all this will be is apparent to 
any close observer. Who is there that cannot reason- 
ably foretell the future of such a country ? We have 
but one means of determining what the future of any 
place, person or thing may be, and that is precedent, and 
using this means, what is certain to be the future of the 
Delano Thermal Belt? Look to other communities with 
similar advantages and see what has been accomplished; 
the development of those communities tells you to a cer- 
tainty wliat may be expected here. 



EXPLANATORY NOTE 

The letters contained in this pamphlet were written 
by men of standing in this community ; men who have 
had practical experience and are therefore competent to 
advise. These letters are but a very few of the many 
that might be secured from the residents hereabouts, 
but additional letters could only emphasize the asser- 
tions made herein, and instead of using this means of 
emphasis, we ask the liomeseeker to visit our locality 
and through thorough investigation secure all the in- 
formation lie may desire. 

Any of the gentlemen whose names appear in this 
pamphlet will gladly furnish information to those writ- 
ing to them. 



MAKE US A VISIT 

WE EXTEND THE GLAD HAND 
AND KNOW THAT 

YOU^LL LIKE DELANO 



^^^ 





NEVER KNOWN IN CALIFORNIA 




ALWAYS REALIZED IN CALIFORNIA 



ISSUED BY THE 

BOARD OF TRADE OF 




Alfalfa 



NOVEMBER ibT HE FIRST 

NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINE 



LIBRHRY OF CONUREbb 



017 138 473 4( 



\ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



lllllllll 111 .11 ! Ill nil III 

017 138 473 4 || 



Conservation Resources 
Lig-Free® Type I 
Ph 8.S, Buffered 



